Spring sprang early in Southern California, then just as quickly seemed to surrender to summer’s advance. The glorious greens of this winter and a promising wildflower season proved to be no match for our sizzling March, the hottest on record in Downtown Los Angeles, and ongoing drought conditions.
Then, a bit less than two weeks ago, spring got a reprieve as temperatures plunged and the local mountains received a sprinkle of rain. That cooler, wetter weather inspired me to get out and hike some new trails, as well as old favorites that I hadn’t explored for too long a time.
There were surprises: The proverbial blanket of flowers covered sections of a burn area at North Etiwanda Natural Preserve in Rancho Cucamonga. On the hike to Monrovia Canyon Falls, I spotted a beautiful cinnamon-colored black bear digging around on the slopes above the trail. And at the base of the falls, a teenager in a pink gown posed for her quinceañera pictures, complete with a cluster of colorful balloons.
I can’t offer any guarantees about the weather, nor predict your prospects for seeing a bear. But here’s a look at a few area hikes worth exploring before spring truly ends.
Rocky Peak Trail to Hummingbird Trail, Simi Valley
The Santa Susana Mountains may not have the renown of the San Gabriels or Santa Monicas, but thanks to jumbles of sandstone boulders they are one of Southern California’s most distinctive small ranges.
The Rocky Peak Trail climbs steeply from the 118 Freeway along a road that’s briefly paved before continuing to its namesake’s 2,717-foot summit. It’s a great hike but if you’re in the mood for a little less climbing, after passing a wind-sculpted cave on the right (about 0.8 mile from the trailhead), continue uphill and look left for the signed Hummingbird Trail.
It continues about 2.3 miles to Kuehner Drive in Simi Valley but you don’t have to go all that way to explore rugged boulder-strewn valleys and to reach clear-day views that extend to the ocean. Even though a number of side trails veer off briefly, small dabs of paint, arrows and markers every half-mile should keep you on track.
Normally a prime wildflower spot, this year you won’t see much in bloom other than some sages. But about 1.75 miles from the Rocky Peak Trail, you’ll come to a narrow passage with small caverns filled with what look like hanging gardens. The caverns are a good turnaround spot but keep in mind that you’ll need to climb back to the Rocky Peak Trail before enjoying the long, easy downhill back to parking.
Distance: 4-5.6 miles round-trip depending on where you turn around.
Difficulty: Moderate because of climbing.
Details: In Rocky Peak Park in Simi Valley. Trailhead is at the Rocky Peak Road exit off the 118 Freeway. There’s a small parking area and additional parking on the opposite side of the bridge over the freeway (no parking on the bridge). For more information, go to www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=51.
North Etiwanda Preserve, Rancho Cucamonga
An easy interpretive loop explores this 1,200-acre preserve fast between the base of the San Gabriel Mountains and extensive residential development. Established to protect habitat and mitigate impacts from construction of the 210 Freeway, the preserve is on an alluvial fan, a sloping area of gravels that flowed from the mountains. It’s scruffy in places but you’ll also have views looking into Day Canyon and of the San Gabriels as you hike, plus a valley panorama that takes in Mount San Jacinto. About half of the preserve burned in an April 2014 fire and the area is recovering, with parts brightened by wildflowers.
Interpretive panels along the trail illuminate the preserve’s natural and human history at sites that include the remains of a settler’s cabin and a rare freshwater sedge bog.
From the map board at the parking area, go left through the stone gate, then follow trail signs and turn immediately right. The trail climbs steadily, though not steeply, as it gains a total of 624 feet. It’s well-marked with distance and elevation markers every quarter mile, plus signs indicating side routes to picnic areas as you hike counterclockwise through the preserve.
Unless you’re committed to completing the loop, the platform overlooking the freshwater cienega makes a good place to turn around and also a slightly longer hike. The loop’s final mile or so to the parking lot, including a stretch between buzzing transmission towers, is the trail’s least scenic section.
Distance: The loop is 3.3 miles. If you double back from the platform at the cienega, it’s about 4 miles.
Difficulty: Easy with some rocky footing.
Details: From the 210 Freeway, exit at Day Creek Boulevard and go north toward the mountains. There are a few preserve signs along the way as Day Creek travels 2.2 miles before veering into Etiwanda Avenue. Continue on Etiwanda .3 mile until it dead-ends at the preserve’s gravel parking lot. For more information, go to http://web.sbcnep.org/index.aspx?page=192.
Monrovia Canyon Falls, Monrovia
Less than three miles from Monrovia’s traditional downtown, 80-acre Monrovia Canyon Park offers a quick escape into the San Gabriel Mountains. A highlight is the 30-foot waterfall tucked into the forested canyon.
While there are shorter hikes to the falls from the park’s middle parking lot (2 miles round-trip) and nature center (1 mile up-and-back), try the 3.5-mile round-trip that begins at the entrance station. Take the Bill Cull Trail, which quickly switchbacks up a slope above the canyon.
Soon you’re among the treetops of the riparian forest of alder, coast live oak and sycamore, with a zip-liner’s perspective on the canyon. After about a mile, the path drops to the creek and joins the park’s nature trail, which soon connects to the Falls Trail.
Though no Niagara, certainly not this year, the spring-fed falls flow steadily down the rock face of a lovely shaded grotto. Find a nice flat rock and hang out for a while before returning the same way.
Distance: 3.5 miles round-trip.
Difficulty: Easy, though there’s an 800-foot elevation gain.
Details: Monrovia Canyon Park is at 1200 N. Canyon Blvd. From the 210 Freeway, exit at Myrtle Avenue and go 1.1 miles through downtown Monrovia to Foothill Boulevard. Turn right on Foothill and go four blocks before turning left on Canyon Boulevard. Stay on Canyon Boulevard as it veers to the right at a couple of spots until you reach the entrance station, which is about 1.6 miles from Foothill. Parking is $5. Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Tuesdays. For more information go to www.cityofmonrovia.org/recreation/page/monrovia-parks-0.
Award-winning writer Matt Jaffe writes about Southern California’s incredible hiking trails from Malibu to Mojave. Reach him at matt@mattjaffewriter.com or follow Matt on Twitter: @mattjaffewriter.
